Spring-tongue snap-hook.



PATENTED NOV. 26, 1907.

J. B. BAXTBR. SPRING TONGUE SNAP HOOK.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 6,1907

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEroE.

JOHN B. BAXTER, OF WATERVLIET, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO COVERT MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF WATERVLIET, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SPRING-TONGUE SNAP-HOOK.

Patented Nov. 26, 1907.

Application filed June 6, 1907. Serial No. 377.631.

T 0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, JOHN B. BAXTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at WVatervliet, in the county of Albany and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring- Tongue Snap-Hooks, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to an improvement in snap hooks and more particularly to that class of snap hooks which are generally known as spring tongue snap hooks. Heretofore snap hooks of this particular type have been made with spring tongue members which are bent into substantially a U-shape. Such a construction is well shown and described in the patent to J. C. Covert, No. 820,703, dated May 15, 1906 My present invention is designed to overcome certain objections in the construction and formation of spring tongue snap hooks and the object primarily is to construct the hook in such a manner that the lug member can be cast and so without forming a core in the mold and further to construct a hook which can be readily assembled and when assembled the major portion of thespring can be employed, the attaching portion being reduced to the minimum, and positioned adjacent to the forward end of the bottom opening, thus avoiding the danger of breaking and rendering the spring easy for operation.

That the invention may be better understood, I have shown a preferred embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a bottom plan view with the parts assembled, Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the casting, Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the same, Fig. 4 is a top view of the casting, Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of a complete hook, Fig. 6 and '7 are respectively cross sectional views on the lines 66 and 77 Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of a modified form, and Fig. 9 is a bottom plan of another modified form.

The casting is constructed with a view of rendering it easily and economically formed, avoiding the use of removable core pieces in forming the molds. With this in view, the general outline of the casting is substantially that shown having the bill part B and the body part being formed with cheeks C, the

overhanging top part C?, and the extreme back C, which is substantially straight as distinguished from those prior art devices wherein a curved part-is formed at the back. Between the side cheeks at the base of the stem of the hook, is formed an elongated opening D, which at the forward end terminates in a straight wall (Z, as distinguished from those structures wherein a seat is formed. In close proximity to the said straight wall d the edges of the cheek parts have formed thereon clamping portions or cars E, the same being located conveniently directly opposite to each other. On the inner side walls of the cheeks in close proximity to the plane of the said ears, are the inwardly projecting lugs or projections F which may be strengthened by being continued upward to the edge of the cheeks, but which terminate at their lower ends at a point slightly above the lower edge of the cheeks, a distance approximately that of the thickness of the spring tongue presently to be described. The lugs F and the clamping portions or ears E, as will be observed, are positioned well forward of the center of the elongated opening D and in close proximity to the vertical front wall d of the opening between the cheeks. The purpose of this is to form a securing clamp for the spring at as near as possible the end of the spring, which will give the spring its full extent of flexibility from its point of clamping to its other extremity.

The spring G is of the usual formation and is seated in the opening between the cheeks, its forward lower end being extended below the lower end of the lugs F. To secure the spring in this position, the clamping portions or ears E are bent down onto the outer face of the end of the spring and in the act of bending the spring is compressed or forced inward directly onto the closely positioned lugs F thereabove. In this way, the tongue is firmly clamped in place while the bending of the tongue when compressed will take place from the point of fastening practically throughout the remaining portion of its length. This will, in many cases, prevent the tongue from snapping or breaking while holding the spring firmly in position at all times.

In the general application of the spring the bottom edges of the cheeks C are bent in slightly as shown in Fig. 7, so that they proj eet below the spring. This is advantageous as a means for preventing the spring from being forced below the edges of the cheeks as it might be if considerable pressure were placed against the tongue part near the overhang ing wall. In other words, these inturned sides prevent the lower horizontal part of the spring from being deflected downward.

In Fig. 8, I have shown a modified. form wherein the rib or lug F is positioned directly above the flat ears E. This construction may be resorted to if desired but the construction before specified is preferred.

In Fig. 9, I have shown a construction wherein the ears are dispensed with and the edges 6 of the cheek are alone employed in the dual capacity of clamping portions for securing the spring onto the lugs F and forming the bottom stops. I

By the above construction, it will be observed that the spring has free play without binding on the cheeks and yet is maintained or held firmly in position atits extreme forward end. It will also be observed that the application of the spring is exceedingly simple, the same being inserted through the elongated opening and its ends pressed on the lugs and ears bent over onto the end as shown.

I am aware that many otheradvantages are present in this construction and also that many variations and changes can be made without departing from the nature and principle of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is 1. A spring tongue snap hook having a body provided with separated cheeks, an opening in its bottomv part, projections on the inner faces of the cheeks adjacent the forward end of the opening, ears on the lower edges of the cheeks adjacent the forward end of the opening, and a U-shaped spring between the cheeks having its forward lower end secured between the projections on the cheeks and the said ears, substantially as described.

2. A spring tongue snap hook consisting of a casting having a bill part, separated cheek parts having an open bottom part, projections extending from the inner sides of the cheeks adjacent the forward end thereof, clamping portions at the sides of the forward end of the opening, and a Ushaped spring having its forward lower end secured in posi tion by the said clamping portions, and in wardly extending projections, substantially as described.

3. In a spring tongue snap hook, the combination with a body part having separated cheeks and an opening in its base, projections on the cheeks near the forward end of the opening and inturned clamping portions, in combination with a Ushaped spring having its forward lower end clamped between the said projections and said inturned clamping portions.

4. A spring tongue snap hook of the character described, having a body provided with separated cheeks, an elongated opening in its under side, ears near the forward end of the opening and lugs on the inner face of the cheeks near the ears, a Ushaped spring having the forward end of its lower portion clamped between the ears and lugs, and inturned edges on the cheeks below the spring.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' JOHN B. BAXTER.

itnesses HERBERT E. JOHNSON, GEORGE H. LEE. 

